Elendil

Great episode this week. But a surprising error. Vanessa's new friend, the fencing chick, said that Dracula caused a war between the Holy Roman Empire and the Ottomans in the 13th century. Nope, missed by three centuries.

Sorry for getting OT, but the troll bait was irresistible. Back to the election; I think Trump is unstoppable now. A month ago I thought Hilary had it in the bag because of Trump's low appeal to women but he seems to have finessed that one away by drawing attention to the dysfunctional nature of Bill & Hilary & Monica & fill-in-the-blank. Also he is avoiding any crude offensive statements now and sounding much more presidential. There is a possibility Hilary won't even get the nomination. Especially if she is indicted (which she ought to be but probably won't) On a lighter note, I predict the first scandal of the Trump administration will be when he is caught using illegal Mexican labour to build the wall.

That's a good observation, Boochluke, the show does rise above the horror genre and never gets campy like True Blood for example was prone to do. And Sister Midnight, I don't find any of the scenes a turn on, its all too creepy for my taste that way. LOL what you said about Ethan. I agree with both of you that Eva Green is a great actress, quite a range.

I'm not being anti-american here (at least this morning) but I'd say that's a little much. I'd give that prize to 5th Century BC Athens. Second prize to 15th C. AD Florence.

I agree that the second season was better than the first and I like the way the third season is going so far. I know what you mean about cliches but somehow I don't mind. I'm willing to forgive a lot for authentic look and feel of the Victorian period, which I love. I like the way the characters talk, often like the dialogue in nineteenth century novels. "Nor I, sir!" My favourite thread at the moment is the Dorian Grey-Ms. Frankenstein Monster relationship and where that is going. I like the way she turned from innocent victim to awful monster last season. So unexpected. The male monster doesn't appeal to me so much, too maudlin and weepy. You're dead already, get over it.

Anybody watching this? I think its really good. If you don't know it, it takes place in late Victorian London and is a kind of Gothic mish-mash. Characters include Frankenstein and his monsters, Dracula, Dorian Grey, assorted demons, witches and vampires etc. All stock characters are considerably re-imagined. The sets and costumes have a great period feel and so does the dialogue. It gets a little dark at times but is fast paced and full of surprises.

I'm 99.999% sure that picture is legit. Blood stops flowing when the heart stops beating. There is too much detail in the blood itself to be photoshop. Not to mention, why would anyone photoshop that? This is just insane. Way to fuck up, Belgium. Read some of the eye witness accounts of guillotining during the French Revolution. Everyone remarks on the fountains of blood which burst out of the severed neck. Makes sense. The artery to the head is cut suddenly, the heart continues to beat a few times more and all the blood in the body is forced out under pressure. Besides that, the picture looks like a bad photo shop job. Why does everyone want to take ISIS propaganda seriously? Anyway, be that as it may, this guy is a threat, agreed, and no way should he walk before his trial.

It does seem unbelievable, but then again so does that photo which went with the article you link to. A very bad photo shop job and not nearly enough blood for a real beheading. Who know what's going on anymore? Nothing makes sense.

No surprise, I came out strongly Bernie. But I'm not American, so doesn't matter.

I'll take the terms of the question literally; "assuming you are not in any danger" I'd like to be sitting on a barcalounger with a bottle of cold beer in the Sea of Tranquility watching the landing of the Eagle.

Mask me. I don't even remember being 18.

In my opinion Putin is the only serious statesman on the world stage today. Consider that he took over Russia at its lowest point in many centuries, after the chaotic collapse of the USSR and the ruinous looting of the Yeltsin years. Just look at Russia now; a confident serious player on the world stage. Putin's strength is that he has a sense of history and a grasp of the big picture, two things totally lacking in the American and EU leadership. NATO has been playing dangerous tricky games in Syria, and not playing them well. Claiming to be fighting ISIS but wanting to overthrow the Syrian gov't at the same time. This lead to a four year bloody stalemate and a refugee crisis pouring across into Europe. Can you say "blowback?" The Russian intervention possibly with Iranian assistance will quickly resolve the situation in the legitimate Syrian government's favour. Smartest thing the NATO powers could do at this point is just to gracefully get out of the way. But will they?

I agree with those who mostly blame the US for general shit disturbing in the region. Every single place where there has been US/Nato intervention there is now chaos. They talk about wanting to stop ISIS but refuse to co-operate with the only forces in the region capable of seriously opposing them: Syria, Hezbollah and Iran. Instead they just drop bombs around indiscriminately and kill as many civilians as ISIS fighters. Same old, same old. Best would be for all western powers to stay the hell out of it and let the locals sort it out. My country Canada is also part of the problem, not the solution. Hopefully we get rid of Harper next month but the other guys don't inspire much confidence either.

Remember everything has its downsides. You could never watch a movie or read a book a second time without being utterly bored. Not getting fat is easy enough with a modicum of self-discipline anyway, so why waste a wish on it? Being liked by everyone, meh. I hate popular people and wouldn't want to hate myself. Not getting tired, now that's a win-win! Think of all the stuff you could get done and all the fun you could have. Plus make all your co-workers look bad, a small bonus.

Only of interest to Canucks but should be entertaining for us. Nigel Wright says he cut the cheque out of his own pocket to keep the Duffster from going under. Why? Goodness of his heart? C'mon, Tories don't have hearts. A nation wants answers!